Local pharmacist lobbies in Washington

Sharon Hagan, RPh, of Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy in Lake Ozark joined a nationwide effort to preserve patient access to compounded medications as part of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) 2013 Compounders on Capitol Hill 19th annual conference and legislative event, held June 1-4, 2013.

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The Lake News Online

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Posted Aug. 28, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Posted Aug. 28, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Lake area

Sharon Hagan, RPh, of Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy in Lake Ozark joined a nationwide effort to preserve patient access to compounded medications as part of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) 2013 Compounders on Capitol Hill 19th annual conference and legislative event, held June 1-4, 2013.

Hagan and more than 515 community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students either traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with their federal House and Senate delegations in face-to-face meetings or sent in letters as part of a virtual campaign.

“This trip gave us a chance to speak directly to members of Congress and voice concerns on behalf of our patients, whose access to pharmacy compounds directly impacts their health care,” Hagan said. “Some of our profession’s most active pharmacists gathered in our nation’s capital to take the voice of compounding to the Hill.”

“Compounding pharmacists came to Washington to speak with their Senator and Congressional representatives about several specific issues that directly affect their patients,” said IACP President Wade Siefert, RPh, FIACP. “We are particularly concerned that the new Senate legislation (S.959) as currently written could impede our patients’ access to pharmacy compounding. We are working closely with our respective state representation, and the Senate HELP Committee to resolve issues with the proposed legislation.”

“These visits to Congress came at a particularly critical time for compounding pharmacies across the country and for the patients whom they serve. Our IACP members are mindful of the terrible tragedy that occurred last year with the New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak. We never want to see another situation like this, again,” said IACP Executive Vice President & CEO David G. Miller, RPh. “We also believe it’s vital that patients and practitioners continue to have access to compounded medications prepared by licensed pharmacists who are following the necessary guidelines and who are helping patients and practitioners with personalized medication solutions each and every day.”